By Chris Schmidbauer, Sports Information Director
Toledo, OH -- In a midweek conference match, the #2 Express had to come from behind in the second and third set to beat Edison 3-0.
The first set was a tightly contested affair. The Express and Chargers traded points back and forth, but Owens would go on a run to put themselves up five points at 17-12. Owens would maintain their five point cushion for the remainder of the match. They would put the first set away on an ace serve from Summer Sweeting.
In Set #2, the Express would trail early to Edison. The Chargers would get up by two points early and they would maintain that lead as the two teams would trade points back and forth. Owens would tie the set back up at 13 points a piece and go on to take a lead at 17-15. It was Edison's turn to come from behind to re-tie the score at 17 all. The Express regained the lead and went up 23-19, but three straight Charger points cut the Express lead to just one. Michaela Eisenhauer's stuff block would end the second set with a 25-23 Express win to lead thee match 2-0.
Edison would not go down quietly however. Much like the second set, Edison jumped out to an early lead in the third. The Chargers would lead almost the entire third set, leading by as many as three points. The Express would tie the score up late at 20-20, but two straight Edison points followed, putting the Express down 22-20. A kill by Kennedy Ames would tie the score back up at 22, and Owens would not look back. A Kare Evers kill would give Owens the lead, and her stuff block on the next play would put Owens at match point. Edison would score once more to make the score 24-23. But Kennedy Ames would close the match on a cross-court kill to win the set and the match for Owens at 3-0.
Eisenhauer and Ames were killing machines during the match. Eisenhauer would lead the team with 15 kills, while Ames had 10 of her own. Kara Evers was right behind them with nine kills. Summer Sweeting was the team leader in assists (22) and service aces (4) as well. Eisenhauer led the Express in digs as well with 20 total during the match.
Owens is now 18-1 overall and 6-0 in the OCCAC. The Express lead Columbus State by half a game in the standings with a game in hand. The team has also now won 18 matches in a row, since losing their opening match of the season.
The #2 Express will hit the road this weekend for the Parkland Invitational. Owens will play in four matches in total, with the first coming Friday night at 5:00 PM. The team will play two matches on Saturday, and they will finish play on Sunday morning. Owens will not play a home match again until the middle of October. On Friday October 12, Owens will host Clark State at the SHAC. The Express will play in 12 road contests in between then and their next home match.